2363. BACON, PUMPKIN and PECAN STUFFING

for Elisabeth and Molly, on Pumpkin Day

serves six


7 cups roughly cubed whole grain sandwich bread
2 cups roasted pumpkin, cubed
4-5 slices bacon, diced
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup chopped, toasted pecans
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350F. Butter an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking dish. Toss cubed bread and roasted pumpkin into a large mixing bowl. Heat a skillet to medium-high and add in diced bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crispy. Strain bacon out and add diced onions and celery to the pan. Reduce heat to medium and cook until onions are just tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in ground sage, garlic powder and maple syrup. Pour onion mixture over bread cubes. Add in crispy bacon bits and pecans. Toss to coat everything. Pour in chicken broth and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir mixture gently with a spatula until everything is well combined. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, until stuffing is golden brown on top.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Nicole Weston, Baking Bites, November 11, 2010